Ammonia

What is ammonia?

Ammonia is a colorless gas or liquid with a very strong smell. Ammonia is found naturally in small amounts in the atmosphere (water, soil and air) occurring from the natural breakdown of manure, dead plants, and animals. It is also a source of nitrogen for plants, animals and humans.

Ammonia easily dissolves in water and is used in many household and industrial cleaning products. It also is used to make fertilizers for plants, crops and lawns (anhydrous ammonia). Ammonia is generally safe to use in low concentrations (5% - 10%), but becomes corrosive and should be treated as flammable at higher concentrations (15% +).

How can I be exposed to ammonia?

Exposure to ammonia occurs through skin and eye contact, breathing ammonia gas or fumes, and swallowing it. You could be exposed to ammonia if you –

• work in an industry that uses or manufactures ammonia,
• live near farm fields where ammonia is used as a fertilizer, or
• use certain cleaning solutions, window cleaners, floor waxes and smelling salts.

Ammonia occurs naturally in small, generally safe amounts in the air, water and soil. There may be larger amounts in any one of these areas for various natural or man-made reasons such as leaks, spills, agricultural purposes, etc. If this occurs, the smell and taste is very strong and serves as a warning that you are being exposed to dangerously high amounts of this compound and need to leave the area.

How can ammonia affect my health?

Breathing a small amount of ammonia (for example, vapors from cleaning products) may cause coughing and irritation to the nose or throat. Breathing a large amount of ammonia gas or fumes from liquid ammonia also may cause difficulty breathing, excess fluid in the lungs and throat, and cardiac arrest.

A few drops of concentrated liquid ammonia on the skin will cause burns, inflammation and open sores if not washed away quickly. Compressed, liquid ammonia (anhydrous ammonia) can cause frostbite, severe burns, and deep ulcerations. Splashing ammonia into your eyes can cause burns and even blindness.

Swallowing small amounts of ammonia may cause burns in the mouth and throat along with nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

How can I reduce my exposure to ammonia?

Workers can reduce their exposure to ammonia by –

• wearing proper safety clothes and equipment,
• following workplace safety rules, and
• following product instructions and warning statements.

You can reduce your exposure to ammonia in household products by –

• keeping products that contain ammonia out of children’s reach,
• having adequate ventilation when using cleaners that contain ammonia,
• wearing proper clothing and eye protection, and
• avoiding areas where ammonia is being used or produced such as farm fields after they have been treated/fertilized with ammonia and livestock buildings.

Never mix ammonia-containing products with household bleach or any substance containing chlorine. Doing so can result in injury or death.

What should be done if someone is exposed to ammonia?

The following measures will help minimize any injuries –

• Move to fresh air if you are near a release. If ammonia is accidentally released from a nearby industry, follow the instructions of local authorities.
• Remove and discard any contaminated clothing and flush exposed skin and hair with large amounts of soap and water. Try to avoid touching contaminated areas.
• If eye contact occurs, flush with plain water or saline for at least 15 minutes and remove contact lenses if possible.
• If ingestion occurs and victim is conscious, drink 4 ounces to 8 ounces of water or milk and do not induce vomiting.

Where can I get more information?

Illinois Department of Public Health
Division of Environmental Health
525 West Jefferson Street
Springfield, Illinois 62761
217-782-5830
TTY (hearing impaired use only) 800-547-0466
www.idph.state.il.us

Illinois Poison Center
http://www.IllinoisPoisonCenter.org

This fact sheet was supported in part by funds from the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act trust fund through a cooperative agreement with the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Public Health Services, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.